Thanks to Nordstrom and ShopStyle for sponsoring today’s post.
Happy Monday friends! I hope your day is off to a great start! Today is James’ first day of camp, so we’re back to some semblance of routine. Call me boring, but I prefer that! Without my morning routine, I’m all out of whack!
The camp is from 8:30 to 3:30 for three weeks, kind of a bummer for doing things during the day, but I know these boys will get so much out of this enrichment program. And we’re planning something special for when camp ends.
LOST PINES RECAP
A few weeks ago, we went to Hyatt Lost Pines Resort near Austin, Texas for a little summer vacay. We’ve gone there in the past and I love it for the family friendliness, tons of activities, and quickish drive. It’s only about 2 1/2 hours from Houston, so it’s pretty easy to pack up the car and get going.
We were thrilled to bring James’ friend Cooper with us. If you follow me on Stories, you’ve seen his mom Marianna around. Cooper was so funny, he kept saying he was our stowaway for the trip and he was fascinated with taking photos. I’m excited to share some of his photos here in this post and I know he’ll get a kick out of seeing them too! #thanksCooper!!
Before our trip, I hopped online at Nordstrom to order new swimsuits for the kids and let’s be honest, to see if there was anything I had to have for our trip! 😉 Of course, I found tons of cute things for them and several one pieces for me to try-on. I ended up choosing this black and white one piece. It was the cutest with the most support and felt amazing on.
I love that I can do all of our shopping in one fell swoop! In anticipation of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale happening next month, all new cardholders will get a $60 Nordstrom note (to be used like cash).
BUC-CEES
You might have heard me mention this before, but every Texas road trip must include a stop at Buc-ees. They have awesome food and snacks, adorable decor, anything you might have forgotten to back, and the cleanest restrooms around.
Blue Tank • Striped Shorts • Miller Sandals
Blue Tank • Striped Shorts • Miller Sandals
I loved these pull-on shorts with pockets for the car ride up. They are comfy and cute and have been in full rotation since our trip!
Jordan is smitten with the Beaver! And I’m smitten with her little romper- it reminded me of one I had at her age with the rainbow stripes at the top. 😉
LOST PINES RESORT
One of the things I like best about Lost Pines is the hill country feel and relaxed vibe. It’s on 400 lush acres and has 491 rooms. Once you’re there, you never have to leave because they have several restaurants, pools, lazy river, sandy beach, golf course, spa, and loads of activities to keep you occupied.
You can also just chill out in one of the many rocking chairs or quiet areas and just enjoy the view doing nothing. Bliss!!!
Rainbow Romper • Flip Flops • Adidas Top • Shorts • Similar Shoes
As soon as we got there, we changed into swimsuits and took a trip down the lazy river.
Lost Pines has several pools, and a sandy beach where the kids can play and dig and build sand castles for hours. I appreciate that they have a shaded area there too for when you feel like you’ve had enough sun.
Jordan made friends with the sweetest girls and I got to chat with the moms.
We ate our lunches by the pool and they have really good pina coladas too! One of my travel tips is to bring lots of snacks from home – the cost of the food can really add up at the resort, so bringing some of your own snacks helps!
This is the new swimsuit I mentioned I got. I love the black and white stripes, comfortable fit and the supportive top. The shoulder straps are removeable if you want to go bandeau style.
We went back to the room to rest for a little bit, then get cleaned up and ready for dinner and more fun.
Cover-Up Cardigan • Flip Flops
EVENING FUN
USA Top • Shorts • Similar Flip Flops
There’s a huge open grassy area where you can sit and relax and the kids can play. They have games set up for kids of all ages and inside there’s billiards, checkers and chess.
S’MORES
One of my favorite things – and what freaks me out the most is the big open fire pit for making s’mores.
Can you even imagine what a sticky mess this girl was?! Sooo fun for her! 😉
Black Tank • Similar Striped Shorts • Sandals • Crossbody Bag • Hat
MOVIE UNDER THE STARS
After you’ve enjoyed your s’mores, they set up a giant movie screen and serve popcorn so you can enjoy the movie on the lawn. We watched Spider Man and it was so good!
DAY 2
The next morning, we all woke up around 7am and got the day started with bike rides and more lawn games.
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Pink Tank • Jean Shorts • Flip Flops • Purse • Hat • Sunglasses
They had Build-a-Buddy and the kids took turns creating their stuffed animal and customizing a shirt. I was surprised that the boys were into it, but they were!
And of course, more pool time and sand castle making.
I died over Jordan’s little flutter back swimsuit! Nordstrom had tons of cute swimsuits to choose from, so it was hard to narrow it down, but this one was so darling on her!
I switched up my swimsuit, opting for the always classic crochet swimsuit by Becca. You can’t go wrong with this one!
Swimsuit • Hat • Watch • Sunglasses
That afternoon, the boys went to a juggling class, then we spent a few hours in the room hanging out to rest. Then, it was back to the lawn for more playing and s’mores!
Polka Dot Jumpsuit • Flip Flops
The sunset is so gorgeous and even the kids appreciated it. Cooper said it was “majestic” and snapped the picture below! Isn’t that cool?!
White Tank • Stripe Pants • Miller Sandals
We only stayed two nights, but could have easily stayed a couple more.
Embroidered Tank • Shorts • Miller Sandals • Crossbody Bag
Until next time Lost Pines!
Do you have any summer vacay plans? Where are you going? When I got back I was joking that this was a “kid trip” and not a vacation. It’s true that these trips are so good for having fun and memory making, but also a lot of work for the adults watching over everything! Am I right?!
Have a great week friends!
Wow, such a fun getaway, love that’s there’s so much for the kiddos to do! Great start to your summer vacay!
We’re headed on a 5-week RV trip this summer, visiting 15 National Parks!
Oh wow, that’s going to be an adventure for sure!
I am glad I packed Cooper enough clothes but he had to wear the same 3 shirt every day!! ?
These boys don’t care what they wear! We loved having Cooper with us!
Looks like a great trip! Curious how many hotel rooms you had at Lost Pines. I’m assuming you would normally have 1 room for your family of 4. Do you get 2 rooms when your child brings a friend? Thanks!
We got one room and James and Cooper slept in a bed and Jordan and I shared!
James is looking so grown up in these pics. What a fun trip. I’ve always heard the Texas Hill Country is beautiful!
I know! And then we came home and he got a summer cut!!
We live in CA and are headed to Austin to visit friends and then going to Lost Pines for 2 nights. After reading about how much you and your family enjoy it there, I knew we had to check it out! So excited to experience all the fun!
That’s awesome!! Let me know how you like it!! It’ll be hot, but fun!
Got back from our trip to Lost Pines….what an amazing place for families. So much to do at all times! The property was beautiful too! Highly recommend as well. We went to Bucees during our trip too. No words, that place is one of a kind. Its a must stop for sure.
Isn’t Buc-ees wild?! I’m afraid the kids will revolt if we don’t stop there.
DECATS is still around! I attended in the 90s while in elementary school and met the boy who would later become my first boyfriend in middle school while at DECATS! Hope James has lots of fun!
Yes! It’s such a great program! They are celebrating 25 years now!
Looks like so much fun for the kids!! Been thinking of you lately and noticing a lack of husband pictures. Not sure what’s going on but know that your on my heart lately. (I realize this sounds wierd since you don’t know me…but I’ve followed your blog for awhile). Also…feel free to delete this if necessary.
I was thinking the same especially after your stories about your experience in church. Praying for all the best for you and your family!
When the kids were little, we called trips “changes of location” instead of vacations. Everything was focused on keeping them fed, happy, and alive! I’m happy to report that I was able to lounge by the pool reading my book yesterday while some golfed and some biked, all before we all played villeyball, putt putt, and cards together. Much more relaxing!
Yes! Keeping them alive is loads of work! I’m glad you got to relax!
Oh, how fun!! This looks like the kind of getaway I absolutely love! We did Disney World last week…I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was so magical! We are heading to our cottage in northern Wisconsin next week and I’m looking forward to relaxing! June is flying!
I’ve really been curious about Disney – I think my kids are the perfect age for it. We should go soon! I’m so glad to hear y’all loved it.